Fail-safe multiple product aspirator

ABSTRACT

Apparatus including a dual product venturi aspirator and a failsafe diaphragm valve. A first venturi aspirator is utilized to draw a first additive (e.g. an alkaline cleanser) into a carrier liquid (e.g. water) flowing therethrough and, similarly, a second additive (e.g. a chlorinating agent) is drawn by a second venturi into a carrier liquid flowing therethrough. A fail-safe elastic diaphragm centrally mounted between the two aspirators and in communication therewith is operable thereby for automatically terminating the aspiration of either one of the two additives upon the exhaustion of the supply of the other additive, thereby assuring simultaneous injection of the two additives into a cleansing system. Fail-safe apparatus for providing simultaneous injection of three additives is also disclosed.

United States Patent Larson et a1.

[ 51 Jan. 18, M72

F AIL-SAF E MULTIPLE PRODUCT ASPIRATOR lnventors: Spencer B. Larson, NewBrighton; Carl A.

Miller, St. Paul, both of Minn.

Economics Laboratory, Inc., St. Paul, Minn.

Filed: Aug. 10, 1970 Appl. No.: 62,359

Assignee:

US. Cl ..417/191, 137/113, 137/300 Int. Cl. ..F04l 5/48,G05d 11/00 FieldoISearch ..417/191, 190, 182.5; 137/100,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1939 Gibbs et al. ...137/100X5/1953 Stadler ...137/111 X 2/1971 Prussin et al ..222/057 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 85,910 7/1955 Norway ..417/151 PrimaryExaminerCar1ton R. Croyle Assistant ExaminerR. E. GluckAttorney-Merchant & Gould [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus including a dualproduct venturi aspirator and a fail-safe diaphragm valve. A firstventuri aspirator is utilized to draw a first additive (e.g. an alkalinecleanser) into a carrier liquid (e.g. water) flowing therethrough and,similarly, a second additive (e.g. a chlorinating agent) is drawn by asecond venturi into a carrier liquid flowing therethrough. A fail-safeelastic diaphragm centrally mounted between the two aspirators and incommunication therewith is operable thereby for automaticallyterminating the aspiration of either one of the two additives upon theexhaustion of the supply of the other additive, therebyiassuringsimultaneous injection of the two additives into a cleansing system.Fail-safe apparatus for providing simultaneous injection of threeadditives is also disclosed.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing lFigua-w FAIL-SAFE MULTIPLE PRODUCT ASPIRATORBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to fail-safemultiple product injection apparatus.

In a variety of applications, it is desirable to inject two or morefluid products or additives into a carrier fluid. For example, invarious cleansing systems such as the machine-dish washing systemsutilized in connection with practically all commercial dining facilitiesand in a rapidly increasing number of private homes, it is quite commonto add to the wash water both a caustic material (e.g., an alkalinecom-' pound) and a chlorinating agent to provide optimum cleansing andgermicidal properties. Since additive solutions of alkaline and chlorinecompounds are chemically incompatible at full strength, the additivesare generally stored in separate containers and individually injectedinto the wash water wherein the diluted additives are chemicallycompatible and provide the desired cleansing and germicidal action.

In cleansing systems, such as machine dishwashing systems, problems havepreviously been encountered in (1) efficiently and reliably injectingthe additives into the wash water and (2) detecting the exhaustion ofthe supply of one or more of the additives. To illustrate, aconductivity cell is commonly positioned in the wash solution fordetermining changes in the conductivity thereof, thereby indicating bymeans of some alarm device the change in conductivity resulting from theexhaustion of the supply of the additives. Frequently, however, theexhaustion of the supply of only one of the additives does notsufficiently change the conductivity of the wash solution so as to bedetectable by the conductivity cell. Consequently, it has generally beennecessary to visually inspect the additive supplies at regular intervalsto assure that a supply has not become exhausted. Such an inspection isrendered difficult and undesirable by the fact that it is quite commonto store the additives in sealed containers positioned at a location notreadily accessible to the operator of the cleansing system. Thus,apparatus for separately injecting products into a carrier fluid in areliable manner and for assuring the simultaneous injection of theproducts (i.e., preventing injection of a nonexhausted product upon theexhaustion of the supply of one or more of the other products) iscommercially highly desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides apparatusincluding a valve body having valving means positioned within a cavitytherein; the cavity being divided by the valving means into first andsecond valving compartments. The valve body further includes first andsecond product inlet ports therein in communication with the first andsecond valving compartments, respectively. Fluid pumping means incommunication with the first and second valving compartments providespumping action for separately exhausting the fluid products introducibleinto the first and second valving compartments. The valving means isoperable by the fluid-pumping means and, prior to the exhaustion of thesupply of one of the products, maintains an equilibrium or balancedposition allowing simultaneous pumping of the additive products. Uponexhaustion of one of the fluid product supplies, the dual pumping actioncauses the valving means to move to an unbalanced position terminatingcommunication between the pumping means and the valving compartmenthaving a nonexhausted supply of fluid product introducible therein. Inone preferred embodiment, the valving means comprises a diaphragm memberand the pumping action is provided by first and second venturiaspirators in communication with the first and second compartments,respectively. In this embodiment, the diaphragm valve is operable by thedual aspirating action to prevent aspiration of nonexhausted fluidproducts upon exhaustion of the supply of one of the fluid products.

The invention described summarily above provides several distinct andhighly desirable advantages. First, the fail-safe valving meansterminates the injection of a fluid product having a nonexhausted supplyafter the exhaustion of one of the other fluid product supplies. Byutilizing the power inherent in the system (e.g., the power provided bythe venturi aspirators) an inexpensive, simple and fail-safe device isprovided for assuring the product shutoff in one product supply line inthe event a second product supply has been exhausted. This assures thatthe apparatus will always feed a multiple number of products (i.e., twoor more products) simultaneously. Secondly, the invention provides ahighly efficient aspirator network for drawing fluid products from theirremote supply location and separately injecting the same into the fluidcarrier flowing through the drawing aspirator. As will become apparentfrom reading the description hereinbelow, numerous additional advantagesare provided by the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReferring to FIG. 1, a unitary valve body, generally designated 10,includes first and second body sections 12 and 14, respectively, and avalving means 16 positioned within a cavity defined thereby. Bodysections 12 and 14 are joined by means such as screws, glue or the like(not shown) to form unitary valve body 10. In the illustratedembodiment, first and second body sections 12 and 14 are mirror imagesof one another and include flange portions and Ma, respectively,extending angularly outward from the longitudinal axis of the main bodyportion. The flange portions 12a and include outer end portionsextending radially outward from the longitudinal axis of body 10.

The angularly extending flange portions 12a and 140 form a cavity oropening within unitary body 10. A valving means, such as an elasticdiaphragm member 16, is positioned within the cavity and tautly held byinsertion thereof between the radial end portions of flanges 12a and14a. In its balanced or equilibrium position (illustrated in FIG. ll),elastic diaphragm member 16 divides the cavity into identical first andsecond valving compartments 24 and 25. As will be described more fullyhereinbelow and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the inner portion of elasticdiaphragm 16 is displaceable and occupies either one of two extremepositions in its unbalanced state.

Pumping means illustrated generally as a first venturi-type aspirator 30is positioned within body section 12. An externally threaded inlet port31 is in communication with aspirator 30. A conduit 32 having aninternally threaded coupling portion 32a is threadedly coupled to inletport 31 and and has an opposite end thereof (not shown) connected to asource of a carrier fluid (not shown) such as water. A passageway 33 ofthe venturi 30 is connected to an outlet port 34. A fragmented conduit35 has a coupling portion 35 35a threadably coupled to outlet port 34. Apassageway 36 operably interconnects first valving compartment 14 andventuri 30. A first fluid product inlet port 37 is in threadedengagement with a coupling portion 38a of a first product feedline 38. Apassageway 39 having a restricted flow portion 39:: interconnects firstproduct inlet port 37 and first valving compartment 24 for introducing aproduct therein.

Similarly, body section 14 includes pumping means illustrated generallyas a venturi type aspirator 40. Carrier fluid flow through' aspirator 40is provided by the introduction of water into body portion 14 throughinlet port 41. A conduit 42 having a coupling end portion 420 inthreaded engagement with inlet port 41 is connected, for mostapplications, to the same supply of carrier fluid (not shown) as conduit32. A

passageway 43 of the venturi 40 is connected to an outlet port 44. Afragmented conduit 45 having a coupling end portion 45a is threadedlyengaged with outlet port 44. A passageway 46 in body section 14 operablyinterconnects valving compartment 25 and venturi 40. A second productinlet port 47 is threadedly engaged to an internally threaded couplingportion 48a of a second product feedline 48. A passageway 49 having arestricted flow portion 49a interconnects second product inlet port 47and second valving compartment 25 for introducing a product therein.

ln utilizing the above-described fail-safe dual product aspirator inconjunction with a cleansing system such as a machine dishwasher, thefirst fluid product or additive will commonly be a caustic material suchas an alkaline cleanser and the second additive will commonly be achlorinating agent. In such an application, conduits 35 and 45 will beinterconnected by a mixing valve (not shown) and a single solutionfeedline will be connected to the dishwasher. It should be understood,however, that the present invention has application in numerous systems(other than in conjunction with a cleansing system) wherein it isdesirable to assure simultaneous injection of two or more additives.

Body sections 12 and 14 comprising unitary valve body can bemanufactured from numerous materials. For example, polypropylene hasproven to be one desirable material as a result of its high chemicalresistance and relative inexpensiveness. The venturi aspirators 30 and40 are preferably molded in the respective body sections during themanufacture thereof. As illustrated, the passageways 33 and 43 ofaspirators 30 and 40, respectively, are slightly flared; such a flarecharacteristic having been found to increase the efficiency of theaspirator. However, it should be understood that the aspirators can alsobe located separate from valve body 10. Further, it should be understoodthat aspirators 30 and 40 can be replaced by other pumping means such asa conventional electromechanical pump connected to the respectivevalving compartments by suitable conduit means. Such other pumping meanswould exhaust the additives introducible into the valving compartmentsand operate the valving means in a manner similar to that described inconjunction with the venturi aspirators.

The valving means has been illustrated and described as a flexiblediaphragm member. Diaphragm member 16 can be composed of variousmaterials. For example, ethylene propylene is highly desirable as aresult of its high resistance to attack by chemicals. In the embodimentillustrated, diaphragm 16 has a diameter of approximately 2% inches anda thickness in the order of three thirty-second inches. It should beunderstood, however, that other valving means will also sufiice forpurposes of the present invention. For example, elastic diaphragm member16 can be replaced by alternative valving means such as a conventionalcheck valve, bellows or pistons. The alternative valve means would, ofcourse, operate on the same principle as described in conjunction withelastic diaphragm member 16.

In the operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, apressurized flow of carrier fluid (e.g., water) is pumped throughaspirators 30 and 40; the waterflow entering valve body 10 through inletports 31 and 41, flowing through aspirators 30 and 40 and exiting thevalving body through outlet ports 34 and 44, respectively. As thepressurized water flows through the aspirators, a partial vacuum isgenerated by each of the aspirators. The partial vacuum draws the firstand second additives from their storage containers (at atmosphericpressure) through their respective feedlines and inlet ports into firstand second valving compartments 24 and 25. The additives introduced intothe respective valving compartments are drawn therethrough into thepassageways 36 and 46 and separately injected into the water flowingthrough each aspirator. As the first and second liquid additives flowover the opposite sides of elastic diaphragm 16, the diaphragm ismaintained in a balanced or equilibrium position as illustrated inFIG. 1. However, upon the termination of the supply of one of theadditives (e.g., by the exhaustion of the supply of the additiveconnected to conduit 38), air is drawn into valving compartment 24rather than the liquid additive. The flow of air into compartment 24reduces the vacuum therein upsetting the force balance on opposite sidesof diaphragm l6 and resulting in the diaphragm moving toward the port inpassageway 46; the port projecting slightly into valving compartment 24and serving as an additive outlet port for the valving compartment. Thisforce differential on opposite sides of diaphragm 16 causes thediaphragm to continue to move toward the port in passageway 46 until itengages or contacts therewith closing passageway 46 to the transmissionof any additive therethrough. Thus, aspirators 30 and 40 function inconjunction with one another and with diaphragm 16 to terminate theinjection of the additive supplied through feedline 45 on thetermination of the flow of the additive supplied through feedline 35.

Alternatively, the inner portion of flexible diaphragm member 16 (i.e.,that portion not fixedly held between the outer flange portions) isdisplaceable by the action of aspirators 30 and 40 so as to occupy asecond extreme position (not shown) in which member 16 engages thevalving compartment port in passageway 36 and prevents additive flowtherethrough upon the exhaustion of the supply of additive suppliedthrough feedline 45. Upon replenishment of the exhausted additivesupply, the diaphragm returns to its equilibrium position andsimultaneous aspiration of both additives occurs.

In the three product fail-safe injection apparatus illustrated in FIG.3, a valving body 50 has included therein three valving cavities orchambers 51, 52 and 53. A valving means illustrated as diaphragm members55, 56 and 57 is positioned within each of the chambers and dividechambers 51, 52 and 53 into pairs of first and second valvingcompartments 51a and 51b, 52a and 52b, and 53a and 53b, respectively. Asillustrated, each of the valving compartments has an additive or productinlet port and a product outlet port therein. Product inlet conduits 60,61 and 62 are in communication with inlet ports in valving compartments51a, 51b, and 52b, remotely positioned supply of product (not shown).Product outlet conduits 64, 65 and 66 are in communication with outletports in valving compartments 53a, 53b, and 520, respectively, andpumping means shown schematically as aspirators 70, 71 and 72,respectively. Fluid conduit means 80, 81 and 82 provide communicationbetween the inlet and outlet ports in valving compartments 51a and 53,51b and 52a, and 52b and 53b, respectively, so as to interconnect eachvalving compartment in one of the pairs of valving compartments with avalving compartment in another of the pairs.

The three product fail-safe apparatus operates on the same principle asdescribed previously. For example, the exhaustion of the productsupplied by feedline 60 results in (I) diaphragm 55 terminating the flowof the second product (i.e., the product supplied by feedline 61) beyondvalving compartment 51b and (2) diaphragm 57 terminating the flow of thethird product (i.e., product supplied by feedline 62) beyond valvingcompartment 53b. Thus, aspiration of the two nonexhausted products isterminated upon exhaustion of any one of the products. This principle ofoperation can, of course, be further extended to provide fail-safeinjection of more than three products.

The present invention provides fail-safe multiple product (i.e., two ormore products) injection; the injection of the nonexhausted productsbeing terminated upon the termination or exhaustion of the supply of anyone of the other products. In the preferred embodiment, highly efficientventuri-type aspirators are utilized to aspirate the products and tooperate the fail-safe valving apparatus. Aspirators of the typedescribed are capable of readily drawing liquid additives throughvertical lifts in the range of 15-20 feet and over substantially greaterhorizontal distances. Such aspiration distances are obtained utilizing acarrier fluid (e.g., water) pressure in the range of 20-40 pounds persquare inch. As is apparent from the above description, the multipleproduct aspirator provided by the present invention is of simple design,fail-safe and inexpensive to manufacture.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus comprising:

a. a valve body defining a cavity therein;

b. valving means positioned in said cavity and dividing said cavity intofirst and second valving compartments;

c. means defining first and second fluid product inlet ports in saidvalve body in communication with said first and second valvingcompartments, respectively; and

d. fluid pumping means in communication with each of said first andsecond valving compartments for separately exhausting therefrom thefluid products introducible therein through said first and secondproduct inlet ports, respectively; and

e. said valving means is operable by said fluid pumping means formovement between an essentially equilibrium position allowingsimultaneous fluid flow into said first and second valving compartmentsand a nonequilibrium position terminating the fluid flow into one ofsaid first and second valving compartments on the termination of theflow of fluid product introducible into the other of said first andsecond valving compartments.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including first and second fluid passagewaysin communication with said first and second valving compartments,respectively, for providing fluid product flow therefrom wherein saidvalving means is operable by said fluid pumping means to terminate saidfluid product flow in one of said first and second fluid passageways onthe termination of said fluid product flow in the other of saidpassageways.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pumping means includes firstand second fluid aspirator means in communication with said first andsecond valving compartments, respectively, for providing said fluid flowinto said first and second valving compartments, exhausting the fluidsproducts from the first and second valving compartments, and foroperating said valve means between said equilibrium and nonequilibriumpositions.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first and second fluidaspirator means include first and second venturi-type aspirators,respectively.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said valving means includes agenerally elastic diaphragm member moveable between said equilibriumposition and first and second nonequilibrium positions wherein fluidflow into one of said first and second valving compartments isterminated.

6. Dual product aspirator-valving apparatus, comprising:

a. a valve body;

b. means defining a cavity in said valve body;

c. valving means positioned within said cavity and dividing said cavityinto first and second fluidtight valving compartments;

d. first and second inlet ports in said body in communication with saidfirst and second fluidtight valving compartments, respectively, suitablefor introducing a first fluid product into said first compartment and asecond fluid product into said second compartment; e. first and secondventuri aspirator means positioned within said valve body includinginlet and outlet ports for allowing passage of a carrier fluidtherethrough; and means defining first and second passageways operablyinterconnecting said first and second valving compartments and saidfirst and second aspirators, respectively, for allowing aspiration ofthe first and second fluid products by said first and second aspirators,respectively, and for allowing operation of said valving means by saidaspirators to terminate the aspiration of one of said fluid productsupon exhaustion of the supply of said other fluid product. 7. Theapparatus of claim 6 wherein: a. said valving means comprises agenerally elastic diaphragm member; and b. said first and second valvingcompartments are of substantially identical shape. 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7 wherein:

a. said valve body includes first and second body sections each havingan outwardly extending angular flange por tion; and

b. said angular flange portions of said first and second body sectionsare positioned adjacent one: another so as to form said cavity in saidvalve body.

9. The apparatus of claim it wherein:

a. said flange portions of said first and second body sections includean outer end portion extending radially outward from said respectivefirst and second body sections; and

b. said flexible diaphragm member includes an outer portion thereofpositioned between said outer end portions of said flanges and tautlyheld thereby.

10. Apparatus comprising:

a. means defining a plurality of valving chambers;

b. valving means positioned within each of said valving chambers anddividing each of said chambers into first and second valvingcompartments;

c. a fluid product inlet port in each of said valving compartments forintroducing a fluid product therein;

(1. a fluid product outlet port in each of said valving compartments forexhausting therefrom the fluid introduced therein through said inletport;

e. fluid conduit means in communication with a first plurality of saidproduct inlet ports and a first plurality of said product outlet portsfor interconnecting each of said first and second valving compartmentswith another of said first and second valvin g compartments; and

f. fluid pumping means in communication with the remaining plurality ofproduct outlet ports for exhausting fluid products from each of thefirst and second valving compartments and for operating said valvingmeans to terminate communication between said pumping means and each ofsaid valving compartments having fluid product introducible therein uponthe termination of a flow of product introducible into another of saidvalving compartments.

1. Apparatus comprising: a. a valve body defining a cavity therein; b.valving means positioned in said cavity and dividing said cavity intofirst and second valving compartments; c. means defining first andsecond fluid product inlet ports in said valve body in communicationwith said first and second valving compartments, respectively; and d.fluid pumping means in communication with each of said first and secondvalving compartments for separately exhausting therefrom the fluidproducts introducible therein through said first and second productinlet ports, respectively; and e. said valving means is operable by saidfluid pumping means for movement between an essentially equilibriumposition allowing simultaneous fluid flow into said first and secondvalving compartments and a nonequilibrium position terminating the fluidflow into one of said first and second valving compartments on thetermination of the flow of fluid product introducible into the other ofsaid first and second valving compartments.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1including first and second fluid passageways in communication with saidfirst and second valving compartments, respectively, for providing fluidproduct flow therefrom wherein said valving means is operable by saidfluid pumping means to terminate said fluid product flow in one of saidfirst and second fluid passageways on the termination of said fluidproduct flow in the other Of said passageways.
 3. The apparatus of claim1 wherein said pumping means includes first and second fluid aspiratormeans in communication with said first and second valving compartments,respectively, for providing said fluid flow into said first and secondvalving compartments, exhausting the fluids products from the first andsecond valving compartments, and for operating said valve means betweensaid equilibrium and nonequilibrium positions.
 4. The apparatus of claim3 wherein said first and second fluid aspirator means include first andsecond venturi-type aspirators, respectively.
 5. The apparatus of claim4 wherein said valving means includes a generally elastic diaphragmmember moveable between said equilibrium position and first and secondnonequilibrium positions wherein fluid flow into one of said first andsecond valving compartments is terminated.
 6. Dual productaspirator-valving apparatus, comprising: a. a valve body; b. meansdefining a cavity in said valve body; c. valving means positioned withinsaid cavity and dividing said cavity into first and second fluidtightvalving compartments; d. first and second inlet ports in said body incommunication with said first and second fluidtight valvingcompartments, respectively, suitable for introducing a first fluidproduct into said first compartment and a second fluid product into saidsecond compartment; e. first and second venturi aspirator meanspositioned within said valve body including inlet and outlet ports forallowing passage of a carrier fluid therethrough; and f. means definingfirst and second passageways operably interconnecting said first andsecond valving compartments and said first and second aspirators,respectively, for allowing aspiration of the first and second fluidproducts by said first and second aspirators, respectively, and forallowing operation of said valving means by said aspirators to terminatethe aspiration of one of said fluid products upon exhaustion of thesupply of said other fluid product.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:a. said valving means comprises a generally elastic diaphragm member;and b. said first and second valving compartments are of substantiallyidentical shape.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: a. said valve bodyincludes first and second body sections each having an outwardlyextending angular flange portion; and b. said angular flange portions ofsaid first and second body sections are positioned adjacent one anotherso as to form said cavity in said valve body.
 9. The apparatus of claim8 wherein: a. said flange portions of said first and second bodysections include an outer end portion extending radially outward fromsaid respective first and second body sections; and b. said flexiblediaphragm member includes an outer portion thereof positioned betweensaid outer end portions of said flanges and tautly held thereby. 10.Apparatus comprising: a. means defining a plurality of valving chambers;b. valving means positioned within each of said valving chambers anddividing each of said chambers into first and second valvingcompartments; c. a fluid product inlet port in each of said valvingcompartments for introducing a fluid product therein; d. a fluid productoutlet port in each of said valving compartments for exhaustingtherefrom the fluid introduced therein through said inlet port; e. fluidconduit means in communication with a first plurality of said productinlet ports and a first plurality of said product outlet ports forinterconnecting each of said first and second valving compartments withanother of said first and second valving compartments; and f. fluidpumping means in communication with the remaining plurality of productoutlet ports for exhausting fluid products from each of the first andsecond valving compartments and for operating said valving means toterminate communication between said pumping means and each of saiDvalving compartments having fluid product introducible therein upon thetermination of a flow of product introducible into another of saidvalving compartments.